AN: For Gon; Zaban City is filled with new people, new surroundings, and new surprises, while some are surely more unwanted than others.

Enjoy.

Inside Voices

15

Captain of the Silver Squadron 1: Attack Formation; Satotz, was out to greet the other members of Silver Squadron 2 with his usual, good-nurtured cheer when they pulled up on the shores of Dolle Harbor, waving politely to the valiant cheers of an overly exuberant new member to their team. The only one who was; somehow, happily celebrating that they landed into the city safe and sound, or even just the fact they were pulling in at all – was Gon Freecs. Much to Killua and Leorio's constant 'STOP JUMPING AND SCREAMING' and "SHUT UP ALREADY' phrases repeating like a broken record, Gon still did not stop squirming in place, hollering at the top of his lungs from his unstoppable excitement at finally arriving into the desolate, wasteland of a boat harbor.

Kurapika stood off to the side, doing his own face palm as Hanzo rolled his eyes, chuckling humorously as he strolled forward off the ramp to shake hands with the other leader. They walked off soon after, Gon watched appreciatively from the side, hand held to his brow while he scouted and beamed. He threw a finger Satotz's way and exclaimed, louder then ever for the entire area to hear that had every single crew member wincing in ear agony.

"WOAH. LOOK YOU GUYS. THAT MAN HAS A GIANT MUSTACHE FOR A MOUTH."

"..."

Somewhere, off in the distance, Satotz was coughing and Hanzo was trying his damned hardest not to laugh; before the two eventually disappeared around a building and were gone. The mustache mouth, also gone.

In the meantime that Killua was climbing back up the side of the boat where he fell off from the immediate shock wave of Gon's shout; saving himself from an embarrassing soak on Leorio's not-so-lucky end. Gon was pouting as he flopped over the railing. The remaining people of their squad began to file off and towards the city, carting off things in big crates and Pokkle heading the orders, reading from his clipboard in practiced fashion.

"Welcome to Dolle Harbor, Gon. Zaban City is just a couple miles in and that's where the rest of the squadron is staying." Kurapika hummed thoughtfully, his gray eyes watching their fellow comrades march straight into the destroyed ruins of indistinguishable buildings and infrastructures beyond disrepair. They already knew where they needed to go; too many unwanted and unnecessary visits to this place had their hidden bases memorized to a tee. The blonde's gaze wandered in the direction they'd be headed for; far off east and slightly to the north. "I know it's not much, but it was once a very populated, very inhabited place bustling with life. It was one of the most visited places here on the Padoka Providence before the war started. Why, Leorio and I came here when we took our first Hunter exam on our quest to find the exam's official site."

"It reminds me of Whale Island." Gon perked, smiling ear to ear.

"Yes, yes I'm sure. It's a little bit like that." Kurapika's own shallow smile faltered even when Gon's didn't. Once Killua hopped back to the creaky floorboards, Gon joined him and the two boys rushed off the boat with haste. Kurapika spared one last longing look over the side, chuckling as Leorio flailed and splashed, cusses flying off his mouth in rapid succession enough to make brawny sailors cringe. "I'll get you a towel." He said, not bothering to see if Leorio picked up on his words, and went to fetch one before the eldest of their pack of four erupted like an underwater volcano and capsized the boat.

Because with this rusted piece of junk they were using, anything was possible.

"So where are we headed?" Gon asked, skipping every other step or two while he bounce-walked next to Killua down the dirty, dusted trail the other recruits followed.

"The other Silver Squadron base in Zaban City." Killua droned, not even partly amused by his dreary tone. The atmosphere of a demolished town did little to brighten one's mood. "They only have one set up here. We had two."

"You've been here before?"

"Yeah. Twice. When the Chimera Ant invasion was really bad and they were trying to cram the city port with rescue boats to send to the safe house. They called in our team to assist. It was pretty hectic and chaotic for awhile but with the collaboration between the two Silver Squadrons, we pretty much had the Ants run out of town in about a week and a half."

"Wow. It took you that long? Were there that many Ants?"

"Yep." Killua stretched his arms high above his head, rounding a corner and hopping over some of the fallen metal posts there; presumably telephone or radio ones judging by the size. Gon clambered up in a not-so-graceful manner but it got the job done. "There was about two dozen Nen using Chimera Ants, too, which made it real difficult to push them back. They had some crazy abilities that were hard for us to counter."

"How did you stop them then if they were that strong?"

Killua stopped dead in his tracks and it was Gon who was tripping over his feet a few steps ahead to catch himself from getting too far ahead. He turned on his heel, looking back at the frozen silver-haired teenager, blue eyes suddenly void of color and dark gray with some ominous; color-coated aura dwelling within them. He looked distant, like he was gazing out at something very far away and not at Gon; whom his line of vision was currently aimed at. Gon naturally tensed, gluing himself in place, and swallowed a very minuscule, nervous lump in his mouth. "Killua?" He tentatively asked, uncertain if he should reach out or stay put. His instincts told him to pick the latter and Gon relied upon his instincts more often then naught.

"It's nothing." A minute passed and Killua finally answered, light returning to create a dazzling sapphire blue color again. "Let's go." The albino started walking, right past Gon who had yet to move, and Gon clearly saw the shadow of Killua's Nen on his shoulders, clutching like a pair of demonic claws, ripping and shallow. There was electricity in the air, tickling at the hairs on the back of his neck. He swallowed again unintentionally and jogged up until he was directly behind him in pursuit.

For some reason, as hard-pressed Gon's needy curiosity was to find out the answer to his question, he did not push himself to nag further. Killua's own bodily warning was more then enough to keep him at bay for the time being at least.

He'd pick a more appropriate time; and maybe an appropriate person who shares in the experience, that would be a prime opportunity to find his answer.

"How far away is the base, then?" Gon tried, deterring from the earlier subject in loo of lingering in the grisly tension hanging like a thunder cloud over Killua's head now. He didn't like it one bit. It didn't suit him.

"About three miles towards the outskirts of the inner city." replied Killua, almost monotonously and Gon huffed, lower lip puffed, "Why?"

"Hm... Race you to the base!" Gon suddenly announced and sprinted off with a powerful first step. The residual wind blew Killua's wild silver mane all around, whipping at his face, and Gon's laughter was like a chime on the breeze, soft as a bell and lighter then a feather. Killua loathed it to a fault. "Loser gets to eat ten trays of leftovers!"

"Fu-" hissed Killua, bristling like a cat, and stampeded towards Gon, an electric bulldozer powered by two legs. His Nen sparked like broken wires on the pavement below, singeing each foot fall to charred dust, and several others traveling in their path quickly stepped aside and let the pair blast their way through like cannon fire; already accustomed to the growing-obnoxious behavior of two teenage boys not to care in the slight. "Like hell I'm eating leftovers again. I won't lose, Gon!"

Under the withering glare behind him, Gon pressed onward. As the bronze tone of Gon's skin shined with a thin layer of sweat the longer they sped off through the rubble and wreckage, Gon couldn't help but spare one quick glance back at Killua not far off behind and smile. The look on the other boy's face was priceless in comparison to his previous not-so-pleasant one. His brows were furrowed and he was soundlessly yelling at him nonsensical words that were tuned out in Gon's mind, saving shelter for the image of the moment then the words that labeled it at something it most likely was not. He had a childish pout, small lips protruding; his nose even scrunched up in a cute, girlish-kind of way and navy eyes daunting but daring also. There was the faintest hint of Killua's own smile there, untraceable by any that wasn't Gon; already accustomed to the little quirks of the Zoldyck by now that he only noticed it.

If Gon could see this kind of face; Killua's face, like this every day, then Gon would be perfectly content with his life.

Yes, perfectly content, to be sure.

Gon turned and picked up the pace, knowing full well that this challenge was more then just that. It was a race to escape the early end; because somewhere, somehow, that dreaded ending was drawing near and Gon didn't want to give it the opportunity to catch up if he had a chance to change that.

Catch me if you can. I'm ready for you.

"Uhm, Killua."

"No. Just, no. Don't say it Gon. Don't even say it."

"I- I can't help it, Killua. I mean- I can't-"

"Gon. No. Don't you dare say it, so help me God I will murder you right here, right now. I will-"

"Killua-"

"GON, DO NOT-"

"Oh my god, Killua its-!"

"FUCK NO, GON-"

"THAT GUY'S BONER IS HUGE."

Gon was pointing at; you guessed correctly, a really large bulge in another man's pants not too far from where they were standing in the back, huddled in a smaller group of the other Silver Squadron's members as they waited for the two leaders to come out and give orders about the impeding Chimera Ant invasion. Those within a five foot radius of Gon; after hearing that sudden overly-sensitive exclamation, immediately expanded said radius to almost ten feet now and then some, all with eyes ready to explode out their precious sockets.

Killua slapped his hand over Gon's mouth as quick as those words slipped out and he flinched, doing his best to send apologetic glances the others ways to no avail. No one would even dare look at them now, let alone be near them for the duration of their trip after Gon's oh-so lovely declaration of noticing another man's obvious erection and pointing it out to unwilling public knowledge.

There was a limit to, too much information, and that was definitely one of them.

What makes matters worse was this more-than obvious erection was being shamelessly sported by none other then Hisoka; the psychotic, lunatic of a clown/magician/whatever the hell he wants to go by every time they have a run in with him. Usually it was his outrageous hair-style that tipped people off this male was crazy and even Gon's inhuman porcupine locks couldn't fight against flaming red and pink. The facial make-up; stark white with a teardrop and star beneath each eye, was enough to make anybody cringe at the falsity that made it appear clownish. His tight crop-top exposed a round disk-like ball in the middle and Killua still swore he really didn't possess a normal human body beneath those clothes. But, what hit the hardest, was the straining tent in those baggy, puffed-up hippie pants speaking volumes; all that room meant it was that big to become that notable and Killua was horrified with himself for even realizing that fact.

Damn his overbearing need to analyze everything he sees down to utmost perfection.

"Gon, you idiot. Look at what you just did. We're so in trouble, now!" hissed Killua, lips inches from biting those perky tanned ears right off at how attentive Gon was being to his own words now. Couldn't he had done that sooner before blurting out about another guy's hard-on for the whole encampment to hear? Hisoka's hard-on, no less?

Gon licks Killua's palm and instantly, the albino squeals in horror at the slobber now drenching his skin as he reels back and clutches the attacked limb with an expression that speaks absolute tries to shake off some of the saliva without having to touch it and dirty more of himself in the process, brows clenched at the gross squelching sound the stuff makes when it hits the ground, grimacing. "Oh, so gross. You seriously licked me. How the hell does one make this much slobber from just one lick? Damnit, you are so a dog."

"Maybe." Gon ran his tongue over his teeth and chuckled, staring back in the maniac clown's direction. "Who is that guy?"

Killua half-assed a glare at Gon and huffed, settling to wipe the last of those distasteful liquid remnants on Gon's sleeve and the boy had the audacity to ignore him outright anyways. "Are you talking about Hisoka, the evil clown?"

"Hisoka." breathed Gon, unblinking. Hisoka was standing off to the side alongside two other people waiting at the entrance to the captain's tent. He was carding his long, delicate fingers through his reddish tresses and Gon swallowed, a sense of foreboding the reason there were goosebumps on his skin.

This man was dangerous, promiscuous almost; Gon knew that at best.

"Don't even get near him, Gon." Killua warned, pinching the bridge of his nose with a sigh, "Seriously. That guy is absolute bat-shit insane. I'm not kidding when I say he'd kill you without batting an eyelash, he's even worse then my family and we make a living killing people. He just does it for his sick, selfish and twisted amusement."

Gon's brow rose but his eyes did not leave the magician, still watching. "So he's a bad guy?"

Killua bonked Gon hard on the head and the tan-skinned teenager yelped and whined in audible dismay. "Are you actually asking me something as ridiculous as that?! How dense are you! Of course he's a bad guy, Gon, he's crazy! Dangerous! Don't go near him or I swear I'll let him kill your sorry ass and not regret it!"

"Haiii.." Gon pouted but relented, and Killua grabbed Gon by the arm and begun to lead him away and out of sight. Gon's line of vision followed Hisoka's movements all the way until he was lost from view; feeling that strangeness shadow behind him even when he was gone.

Whatever feeling he was getting from being around Hisoka; wasn't good, but it wasn't terrible, either.

Gon would have to find out more about it this unexplained feeling later, then.

"Where are we going? What about the meeting?"

"To find Leorio and Kurapika, duh. And nobody cares about the meeting anyway, so we can just find out about it later." Killua answered, not turning to look at him when he talked. Gon trailed along, being dragged by the arm with no complaints and strangely enjoying the coolness of Killua's unnaturally cold skin on his own warmer one. It was pleasant. "I want them to tell me where our stuff is so we can get you a proper weapon to defend yourself for when the Ants attack."

"But I can just use my fishing pole for that."

"A fishing pole isn't a weapon, moron!" Killua slapped his other free hand back and hit a broad shoulder, earning another whine and pout to follow. "You need something that can actually deal some damage or you're good as dead in a fight! You can't expect to cut up a Chimera Ant with itty bitty little hooks on a fishing pole. And you most certainly can't whack them to death either."

"But what about my Nen?"

"You don't know enough Nen to fight, Gon. You'll be lucky to even maintain your Ten as your main form of defense in a fight scenario let alone throw a decent punch. You need a weapon."

"I can still fight." Gon snorted, nostrils flared humorously even if Killua wasn't looking, "Killua shouldn't underestimate me before he's seen me fight."

"So, you've been in a real fight before?"

"Well, uhm, I mean-"

"I take it that's a no."

"Hey!"

The snowy-haired teen released his small grip on his arm and they both came to a halt in a small clearing surrounded by some tree stumps and aftermath of a battle held inside a small corner store. There were partial remains of furniture and glass fragments littering the streets from a building barely intact, but it was enough to recognize what it once was. Unlike most everything else in Zaban City's ruins.

Killua's sneakers crunched on splintered wood when he turned to face Gon, hands twisting in his pockets out of sheer habit. He was chewing on the inside of his mouth, brows furrowed, before he finally spoke with a quiet tone, subdued for the matter. "Gon. I know you're trying to be serious about this whole thing, but you can really get yourself killed if you're not careful. This isn't like some kids video game where you lose a life and start over. This is real life. And one retarded move could mean your death."

"I know that." Gon countered, the least bit deterred. "This is war, right? Then I want to make sure I treat it like one."

"Then don't tell me you're using a fishing pole to fight!"

"But I can really use one, Killua. You haven't seen me use one yet!" defended Gon and Killua threw up his arms, waving them in the air dramatically for no reason.

"Geez, you are so flipping stupid it's not even funny anymore."

"I am stupid, Killua, but I really can use a fishing pole to fight."

"I can't believe you. You're crazy." Killua glanced away, his sea blue eyes now hiding behind his shaggy silver bangs. Then he corrected himself. "No, no. Scratch that. You're more then just crazy. You're down right mental."

"Killua..." Gon reached out, not thinking about the possible consequences, as he grabbed hold of Killua's ice cold hand in his own and held it, fingers slotted together. The startling action snapped Killua from his sulking reverie and his head shot up, pupils blown out of proportion and mouth parted. He was gaping like a drowned fish, gums flapping uselessly while he tried to process something; anything, to respond to the unwanted touch, but did not retreat. Gon squeezed tighter, a smile flitting over his features and he relaxed against the touch, reassuring. For some reason, it just felt right doing this sort of thing with Killua; that Gon didn't question or think much about doing it as long as he trusted his gut.

His gut said yes.

"Ne, Killua."

"What, Gon?"

"There you are, Killua."

Like he was frozen in time, Gon watched Killua's entire body become paralyzed and the way his face twisted up was nothing short of being livid and absolutely horrified. It happened in slow motion – Killua's blue orbs widening and his jaw going slack when his name was called, as he swung around and his body became a shield for Gon, protecting him from the new stranger approaching in the distance. Not once did Killua let go of his hand; and he only squeezed it harder while his opposite hand rose up, fanned out to the side like a guard. His nails were at the ready and Gon clearly saw the veins popping out in the knowing gesture that those sharp, demonic claws would come forth without a moments haste.

The stance Killua was in reminded Gon of an animal's parent defending its child or other kin; his legs spaced out in such a way that if he had to make a leap either to attack or flee, he could perform it with adept ease. The terror that radiated off of Killua's aura was frightening; hell, Gon was pushed into an unexplained fright and he wasn't sure why.

This strange feeling he was getting from this oncoming person was definitely not good. It was nothing like how he felt around Hisoka; locked in a duel between being fearful and being excited.

This was something far more potently dark and maleficent.

"..Illumi." Killua's voice was higher in pitch then usual, crackly and hoarse, and when Gon leaned to the side to get a better look he could see Killua's adam's apple bobbing back and forth and he nervously gulped.

Illumi; as Killua referred to him by, was a tall, willowy man with jet black hair as striking as Gon's. It was straight and long; so long it fanned out across his back side and then some, and if Gon hadn't see the broadness of those wide shoulders and large, lanky chest he would have mistaken Illumi for a woman. His attire was green; like Gon's, and what drew his eye automatically was the vest with giant, yellow bobby-pin needles pushed into the front. The heads of the pins were massive and when Gon squinted a little, he could see just a hint of an indigo-colored aura lurking with him; almost as ominous as the radiance Illumi strolled to them with.

Illumi's Nen aura was dangerous, Gon corrected himself. It wasn't so much as dark as it spelled danger. It closely resembled the same danger Hisoka radiated under first impression; the two of their aura's one in the same. Perhaps they were related?

His gaze trailed down and back up one last time once Illumi stepped within a few feet of them and he fell on that expressionless, blank face of his and those murky, empty eyes that were as empty as an abyss. He averted his sight immediately, wanting to avoid getting lost in something as endless as a black hole like those beady black orbs. It was nothing like what Gon was used to; seeing happy smiles and friendly grins, laughter that rang and floated in the air, and colorful hues full of life and joy. Faces that sung like the sun and calmed with the moon, brimming with emotion and feeling and freedom.

This Illumi person willingly chose to lose their ties with emotions. He obviously had embraced the darkness long, long ago.

"Killu, who is this?" Illumi's voice was more feminine then Gon thought it would be, even if the male was as thin as a girl. But so was Killua; so he did his best to accept the gender role for what it is and not argue on his dueling thought's behalf. Gon's brows canted forward, not backing down in the face of this man when he stared into his direction; cold and calculating and harsh – and entirely directed at Killua no less. "Didn't I tell you not to associate with worthless scum? I told you-"

"I'm not scum!"

"..."

Killua's face contorted with a look of shock as did Illumi's own, appearing mildly surprised when Gon chose to let go of the tight yet reassuring hand-hold he shared with the assassin to step forward and up, standing in the space separating the two males. "I'm not scum." Gon repeated, his shoulders squaring themselves as he rose to his full height even if it wasn't as intimidating as he had hoped for in the presence of this worrisome addition.

"And you are?" Illumi leaned toward Gon, his head tilted to the side and Gon felt those piercing onyx eyes examining him. He held back the urge to shiver. "I've never seen your face on the squadron's roster. Are you perhaps newly recruited?"

"Wait-" Killua tried to speak up, but Gon upturned his chin and glowered, determination set in those golden irises.

"My name is Gon Freecs."

"Gon Freecs." Illumi repeated, rubbing at his chin, "And what association do you have with dear Killu, here?"

"Gon, please, don't-"

"I'm Killua's friend."

Killua wanted to slap Gon silly but the urge fled his system as soon as his hand rose out to him, dropping it back at his side where it belonged. Where he knew Illumi would approve of. At a loss, sky blue eyes dropped and he scrutinized the ground, grunting, and racked his brain on what to do. He had prepared himself for this moment before; when Hanzo gave him the heads-up at their meeting prior to arriving, but now all those plans were fleeting and Killua was more then angry at himself for forgetting.

What do I do?

"Killua's friend? That's absurd. Killua doesn't have friends. He's never had any and he never will." spoke up Illumi; past the throng of Killua's dizzying thoughts, neutral tone grating to ones ears and most of all Gon's. It was like stabbing knives in your ear drums, only worse, twisting them at the handles and doing more then just tear out your fighting spirit. It was slicing, annihilating it to shreds that even sheer willpower would not triumph. Gon grit his teeth, fists balled in front of him, and dared to inch nearer, now sporting a ferocious glare.

"Yes he does! You don't know anything about Killua. So, you're wrong." Gon growled though Illumi was hardly swayed, "Killua has friends. He has me and Leorio and Kurapika and Hanzo and-"

"Killua doesn't have friends."

The inexplicable rage dwelling within the Freecs teen was a fireball in the pit of his chest; burning and scorching hot and a thin layer of angry sweat soaked his brow. Gon furiously wiped away at it, grinding his teeth into his bottom lip as he glanced down and swallowed a greedy gulp of air. For whatever reason, he was feeling absolutely pissed at this person for acting like a complete know-it-all; like they knew Killua inside and out, assuming his life for him. Who the hell is this guy? Gon knew Illumi had no right to say such cruel things to Killua; no matter what sort of relationship they may or may not share.

Killua was his own person.

"Who wants to have their life planned out for them?"

This Illumi can't plan out Killua's life for him, that's for sure.

"You're wrong." started up Gon again, edging forward, "Whoever you are, you're wrong!" He was so focused on standing Illumi down that he totally missed the flash of fear back in Killua's eyes, or the way he was shaking as harshly as a tree caught in a tornado. Killua was as drenched in his own nervous sweat as Gon was. He caught something that Gon didn't and the air was tense, thick like poisonous smog, and if Gon wasn't stuck in his typical 'determined-mode', maybe he would have noticed. Illumi appeared blank; a mask that hid his bad intentions, and his hand steadily reached towards Gon. It was only by Killua's own panicked-stricken shout that brought the two battling young men from their ego-filled stupors.

"I'll go with you!"

"..."

Gon rounded backwards and he was caught off guard when he saw that cloud of fear in those distorted pupils, a soundless gasp leaving him in surprise. What's wrong with Killua? Gon wanted to ask, the words hovering at the edge of his tongue, but he wasn't able to when Killua walked towards Illumi, their shoulders brushing; static zapping him unintentionally, and closed the boundary gap between them. Gon flinched, rubbing at his tingling arm going numb from the random shock and trailed his vision upward until it landed on the back of Killua's mop of white locks. Now, he could see the shaking, the tremors, the sweat clinging his clothes to the back of his neck.

Now, he could see the fear.

Killua?

Killua was bowing his head up and down, slowly, either out of respect or discomfort. When he figured it was enough, the shadows cast from his bangs effectively concealed his pale skin in darkness. "I'll go with you." He shakily said again, after a moment, and Illumi immediately lowered his hand with his head cocked sideways again. "That's what you want, right? To talk. I'll go with you, then. Wherever it is. I'll go with you.."

"..brother."

Brother? Gon peered between the two, slack-jawed. Illumi's his brother? The dawning realization hit like a fork lift to Gon's body, all the wind knocked out of him and was helpless to watch that forced on fake-smile of Killua's turn his way. This person is Killua's brother? His heart sunk the lowest it ever had in his chest, deep in the pits now.

Killua was from a family of assassins; brutal, evil people who sought nothing but the money they earned for the lives they've killed. They might as well be cold, heartless and unforgiving; mercenaries who thrived off the deaths of others, who fed off the deceased and crippled. People who tread on the weak and the small, lacking all forms of remorse. If this was one of those people, then, Gon wondered what the rest of his family was like.

Killua was nothing like them though – Gon's heart stayed true to this fact.

Killua wasn't a killer.

The albino was facing him, hands held in a hidden, desperate plea, and Gon felt another thick bead of sweat grow itchy as it slid down the side of his cheek bone. "Stay here okay, Gon? I'll be back later, so you can go find Kurapika and Leorio without me if you'd like. My brother and I have some things to discuss. Family business, right?" Killua was dryly laughing which made Gon felt his chest tighten unbearably so with hurt. "Just wait for me, okay G-?"

"Come now, Killu." Illumi interjected, not sparing to gaze back as he moved away and waltzed on and thus Killua was compelled to follow. He marched away like a trained soldier; a child leashed by the genetic ties it held with its family. They were fate's chains linked in with ones DNA – Gon hated those above all. And Gon knew he was frowning and it didn't help in the meantime he watched Killua's false, insecure smile fall as well; until his face grew black, void, and dead again. Just like the many times he had seen it already.

The face of someone who's since been defeated.

"Killua."

"Gon!"

Whipping around instinctively to the call of his name, Gon saw Kurapika, Leorio, and Hanzo altogether waving their hands in his direction, trying to get his attention even, beckoning to him with their cries. But Gon blinked once and placed his back on them, choosing to ignore his other friends in loo of watching the last bits of Killua's strong, composed back slink away into a downfall; slumped and given up.

"Who wants to have their life planned out for them?"

Killua's words echoed in the far corners of Gon's mind and he swallowed, peeking up at the darkening, cloudy sky up above that had been so bright and colorful minutes ago. The beautiful ocean blue color that had been there prior was now a pitiful gray. The ominous blotches of black and silver streaked across the horizon, a rumble of thunder off in the distance like the cry of a wounded animal; one who knows it has lost this round.

It was now, that Gon knew he had been wrong. His instincts and impeccable senses had failed him.

Soon, a storm would come.